Food Blog

Restaurant News from the Past Few Weeks

Gut Check might have taken an eleven-day snooze, but the St. Louis restaurant scene certainly didn't. Here's a look at what's happened in the past two weeks, including a few items I've already covered here.

The big news -- which actually awoke Gut Check from its nap -- was a fire that damaged Copia Urban Winery. Investigators determined the fire's cause as arson. According to Copia's Web site, the restaurant will reopen in the future.

The nuevo-Latino restaurant Mirasol and the restaurant/concert venue Finale both closed. Also, the Market in the Loop will become a sit-down Racanelli's pizza restaurant. Big V's Burger Joint, Pearl Express and Wong's Wok have closed or are planning to close their locations in the market.

Openings include two culinary comebacks, of sorts. First, former Harvest and Balaban's executive chef Andy White has just opened Off the Vine, a bistro, at 2605 Hampton Avenue. Meanwhile, the former King Louie's space at 3800 Chouteau Avenue will reopen as Revival. Local restaurant magnate Mike Johnson is among the new restaurant's backers.

Since it's a new year, I might as well send out a new call to arms: Do you know of any new restaurants? An old favorite that's closed? Good restaurant gossip you heard after staying at your favorite spot till last call? Drop me a line.